With the release of any sports games, fans and players alike flock to the rating section to see what sort of disrespect was handed out. There are usually a few players each year that have a beef with the 2K developers, but ultimately, ratings tend to be more or less correctly based on the previous year’s performance.
But when we analyze player ratings, what we’re looking for is who the best players are. NBA fans can be quick to identify who the best players are just by watching games, but when it comes to NBA 2K22, there’s a lot more that goes into just knowing the overall player ratings. How dominant is Joel Embiid’s post-game? Is Nikola Jokic a supreme passer for a big man? These are the best overall active players in NBA 2K22 and if you have one of them on your team, you’re looking pretty good.
10 Damian Lillard - 94
Offensive Threat
- Inside Scoring
- Playmaking
- Mid-Range Scoring
Nowadays, there always seems to be a disgruntled star somewhere who’s looking for a change in scenery. Whether or not Damian Lillard wants to admit it, he’s that star. Sure, Ben Simmons is nearly his end in Philadelphia, but no offense to Simmons, Lillard is on another level offensively.
Last season, Lillard averaged 28.8 points and 7.5 assists, but the Trail Blazers failed to make it out of the first round and fell to the Denver Nuggets. In NBA 2K22, Lillard drops a master class on offense. He’s deadly from anywhere on the court with at least an A rating from inside, mid-range, and from deep. The 31-year-old has perfect ratings in playmaking and physicality (A+), meaning he can finish contested layups consistently.
9 James Harden - 94
Offensive Threat
- Inside Scoring
- Mid-Range Scoring
- Playmaking
In July 2019, James Harden’s wish was granted and the shooting guard was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets. Joining Kyrie Irving and his old teammate Kevin Durant, the Nets deployed a ruthless offensive lineup that terrorized opposing defenses. Unfortunately for Harden and the Nets, he and the team suffered various injuries throughout the season and didn’t reach their title aspirations.
There aren’t many places on the court Harden can’t score from. He boasts at least an A rating in inside, mid-range, and three-point shooting, and is a superb playmaker. While many might overlook his defense, Harden holds his own fairly well on the perimeter (B-). Having already won an MVP award, all that remains for Harden’s checklist is that elusive NBA championship.
8 Luka Doncic - 94
Offensive Threat
- Mid-Range Scoring
- Inside Scoring
- Playmaking
If you’re the cover athlete of a sports game, you better be among the best in the game. Gracing the cover of NBA 2K22 is Luka Doncic, the Slovenian phenomenon who dominated overseas and, since being drafted to the NBA in 2018, has continued to dominate in the Association. Coming to the NBA, there were reports of Doncic being a difficult teammate and somewhat of a complainer, but so far, all he’s done is proven he can outperform everyone on the court on the biggest stage.
At only 22-years-old, it’s incredible Doncic already has a 94 rating. If he continues improving, there’s no question he could one day have a compelling argument to have a perfect overall rating. Doncic has perfect ratings in inside and mid-range scoring, but can also knock it down from beyond the arc (A) with relative ease. Surprisingly, Doncic is also a solid perimeter defender (B), which simply adds to his plethora of skills.
7 Joel Embiid - 95
Two-Way Three-Level Scorer
- Post Defense
- Inside Scoring
- Mid-Range Scoring
When Joel Embiid was drafted third overall in 2014, he didn’t play the first two seasons of his career due to a lingering foot injury. While he’s still dealt with various hiccups here and there, Embiid has shed any doubt that he was the next big man bust like Greg Oden or Sam Bowie. Last season, Embiid recorded a career-high in points per game (28.5), free throw percentage (85.9), two-point shooting percentage (54.1), and three-point shooting percentage (37.7).
If Embiid stays healthy, he’s arguably the best center in the league. He can score virtually anywhere on the court with his lowest rating being a B+ in three-point shooting. Because of his above-average three-point shot, Embiid can stretch the floor and space the offense, allowing slashers to penetrate the opposing interior defense. For a guy who’s seven feet tall, being able to stroke it from downtown is a massive boost in his offensive toolbag.
6 Nikola Jokic - 95
Facilitating Three-Level Scorer
- Mid-Range Scoring
- Inside Scoring
- Three-Point Scoring
The reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has only gotten better since being drafted in 2014. But unlike Joel Embiid, Jokic wasn’t a top pick, hell, he wasn’t even selected in the first round. Denver took a shot on Jokic with pick number 41 in the second round, so the fact that he’s elevated his game to MVP levels is truly incredible.
Jokic is an extremely gifted scoring with the ability to shoot efficiently from all areas of the court. While he has perfect ratings in inside and mid-range, and an A- in three-point shooting, his true value lies in his playmaking (A). Jokic is one of, if not the, best passing center in the NBA. He has unbelievable touch and precision passing to thread the lanes for slashers or finding the open shooter. Jokic’s passing is like having another point guard on the court, except he’s nearly seven feet tall.
5 Kawhi Leonard - 95
Two-Way Scoring Machine
- Perimeter Defense
- Mid-Range Scoring
- Inside Scoring
When Kawhi Leonard announced he wanted to join the Los Angeles Clippers with Paul George in tow, instead of teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, that sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. The Clippers had their first true championship team since the Lob City teams with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in the early 2010s. Unfortunately, Leonard’s time with the Clippers hasn’t seen the type of success they’d hope for, especially last season with the superstar suffering a partially torn ACL injury during the playoffs.
For a short time, there was a serious debate as to whether Leonard was the best player in the world, and by looking at his NBA 2K22 player ratings they might have a case. Other than his rebounding (C+), Leonard has at least an A- in every individual category. And even when you consider his low rebounding rating, he still averages a little more than five rebounds per game, so it’s not like he has bricks for hands.
4 Kevin Durant - 96
Offensive Threat
- Mid-Range Scoring
- Inside Scoring
- Three-Point Scoring
After winning two titles with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant joined Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, essentially leaving one superteam for another. Durant missed his first season with the Nets, as he was still rehabbing an injured Achilles suffered in the Finals against Toronto. There was speculation that Durant would be hampered by this serious injury, but the superstar proved he was still as dangerous on the court as he’s always been.
Durant is the only active player in NBA 2K22 with a perfect rating in each of his offensive categories. He’s automatic from anywhere on the court. But people might overlook his defense because of how amazing his offensive skillset is and that’s a mistake. Durant is exceptional on the perimeter (A-) and can hold his own if someone backs him down in the post (B).
3 Stephen Curry - 96
Offensive Threat
- Three-Point Scoring
- Inside Scoring
- Mid-Range Scoring
One of the greatest shooters ever to play the game of basketball, Stephen Curry has continued to shoot lights out for what seems like forever. At 33-years-old, Curry is second on the all-time three-point scoring list, only 141 behind Ray Allen. If Curry maintains his three three-pointers made per game average, he’ll overtake Allen for the top spot this season.
Curry’s offensive game can have ripples throughout the team. His ability to make it rain from beyond the arc forces defenders to press up close on him early, which could open up lanes for players to cut toward the basket. With a perfect A+ in playmaking, Curry knows how to find the open man for an easy basket. Some might criticize Curry’s defense and feel the need to hide him on lesser offensive threats, but his perimeter defense is above-average (B+), so we’ll chalk it up as wanting to conserve his energy to dominate some more on the offensive end.
2 LeBron James - 96
Two-Way Slashing Playmaker
- Inside Scoring
- Basketball IQ
- Playmaking
The end of LeBron James might finally be starting. Entering season at number 19, James felt the ruthlessness of Father Time, as the superstar dealt with lingering injuries all last season that resulted in his first career first-round exit in the playoffs. Some point to the extremely short offseason because of the pandemic and the Los Angeles Lakers winning the Finals in 2020, which is true, but a good portion is likely due to him turning 37 in December.
Despite being one of the older players in the NBA, James is still a force to be reckoned with. His ability to drive and score at the rim remains nearly undefendable (A+), while his perimeter shooting from beyond the arc has improved over the past few seasons (B+). And although James has never won a Defensive Player of the Year award, he’s one of the premier defenders in the league in both the interior (A) and on the perimeter (A+).
1 Giannis Antetokounmpo - 96
Two-Way Slashing Playmaker
- Inside Scoring
- Basketball IQ
- Perimeter Defense
Coming off his first NBA championship, Giannis Antetokounmpo is living on top of the basketball world. But for a minute, there was serious doubt whether the Milwaukee Bucks would even make the NBA Finals. After suffering what looked to be a gruesome knee injury in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks managed to still eliminate the Atlanta Hawks without Antetokounmpo. Then, miraculously, the Greek Freak was able to return for the Finals and defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Offensively, there’s no one better than Antetokounmpo within a few feet from the rim. He has a devastating spin move that will leave defenders frozen and he can dunk the ball with ease (A+). His mid-range and three-point shooting are still disappointingly low (C-), but he’s been working on improving his shot. Defensively, Antetokounmpo might be the best in the league. With perfect ratings in the interior and perimeter, it doesn’t matter where you try to attack the big man, he’s going to lock you down. Even without the outside shooting, there’s more than enough reason why Antetokounmpo is the best active player in NBA 2K22.